Craig, I do not want to "push the envelope", but I have found that UHF connectors are more reliable than BNC. The BNC connectors are smaller, but are more susceptible to the connection being distorted because either the center conductor has been pulled back into the housing or the shield connection has failed. In other words, a BNC connector is no panacea - it can have failure points unknown to the UHF connector world. Below 100 MHz, the UHF connector is perfectly adequate.
The only caution I can offer on the use of UHF connectors is that they must be tightened - finger tight is not enough, it requires a slight extra tightening with pliers. The continuity of the shield connection depends on the tightness of the connector - BNC and Type N do not have that dependency - if those connectors are engaged (whether tightened or not), there is a good connection for bother the center conductor and the shield. I do use BNC connectors at my workbench every day just because they are convenient and easy to change from one connection to another. If I an servicing a KPA100, I will screw a PL-259 to BNC adapter onto the RF output jack so I can use my workbench BNC cables for quick connect/disconnect. I do keep a constant check on the BNC connectors - if the shield escapes the clamp, or the center conductor is pulled back, I discard the cable, or simply cut off the offending cable end so I know to repair it later. For those with more permanent stations, I would highly recommend sticking with theUHF connectors or using UHF to BNC adapters rather than modifying your equipment. Just my humble opinion. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/24/2012 10:37 PM, Craig Smith wrote: > I installed the Oak Hills BNC connectors in my K3 during the initial build 5 > years ago. Great decision. Much more convenient and allows for rapid cable > changes. Everything in my shack and antenna runs has been standardized with > BNCs. > > 73 Craig AC0DS > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
